tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49758461395202194622014-10-01T21:46:33.389-07:00ProjectsInformation on what I'm working on during my Peace Corps service in Mauritania, West Africa - Details. Specifics. How you can help.Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-85451139910245250712008-08-07T10:36:00.001-07:002008-08-07T11:19:24.051-07:00Thienel Community Center & Market Completion!On July 25th, we held an opening ceremony celebration for Thienel's new Market and Community Center!<br /><div> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs595b3bPI/AAAAAAAADMs/7o4IoqOfWm4/s1600-h/DSC_2281.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231839127673466098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs595b3bPI/AAAAAAAADMs/7o4IoqOfWm4/s200/DSC_2281.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-BpGc_I/AAAAAAAADM0/P7oODBwG1Gs/s1600-h/DSC_2360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231839129876460530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-BpGc_I/AAAAAAAADM0/P7oODBwG1Gs/s200/DSC_2360.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs59t3n4uI/AAAAAAAADMk/n_-AVNMJOvw/s1600-h/DSC_2249.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231839124568662754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs59t3n4uI/AAAAAAAADMk/n_-AVNMJOvw/s200/DSC_2249.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-bHaI1I/AAAAAAAADM8/wJY0LFaFdK8/s1600-h/DSC_2456.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231839136714466130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-bHaI1I/AAAAAAAADM8/wJY0LFaFdK8/s200/DSC_2456.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-WUrh2I/AAAAAAAADNE/Igz6UlRVZA0/s1600-h/DSC_2552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231839135427954530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-WUrh2I/AAAAAAAADNE/Igz6UlRVZA0/s200/DSC_2552.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs75Y1hZyI/AAAAAAAADNM/XtWqKrOL_Ec/s1600-h/DSC_2578.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231841249226483490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs75Y1hZyI/AAAAAAAADNM/XtWqKrOL_Ec/s200/DSC_2578.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-WUrh2I/AAAAAAAADNE/Igz6UlRVZA0/s1600-h/DSC_2552.JPG"></a> </div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs75sGXqFI/AAAAAAAADNU/9AqAl4m7l9E/s1600-h/DSC_2625.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231841254397421650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs75sGXqFI/AAAAAAAADNU/9AqAl4m7l9E/s200/DSC_2625.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs75v4TvOI/AAAAAAAADNc/CSQj1cQ0fGw/s1600-h/P7250234.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231841255412186338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs75v4TvOI/AAAAAAAADNc/CSQj1cQ0fGw/s200/P7250234.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-WUrh2I/AAAAAAAADNE/Igz6UlRVZA0/s1600-h/DSC_2552.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SJs5-WUrh2I/AAAAAAAADNE/Igz6UlRVZA0/s1600-h/DSC_2552.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Details to follow...</div>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-60715616631631264012008-06-08T07:22:00.000-07:002008-06-08T08:18:36.431-07:00Thienel Community Center and Market Project CommencementYo Allah wallu emen...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0xToTfPI/AAAAAAAADL8/35SD7HiF2pQ/s1600-h/DSC_2158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0xToTfPI/AAAAAAAADL8/35SD7HiF2pQ/s320/DSC_2158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209526521904200946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We are finally hitting bricks, as they say here. We might call it brick fabrication, but either way, it means the project is finally under way!<br /><br />One of the women's cooperative presidents, Aissata Tacko, clasped my hand after a particularly animated village general assembly last week, in which we addressed the current stage of the project, and the community's role in its continued success. Before letting go, she squeezed hard, and said the above words, "May God help us." Indeed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0x2-WQLI/AAAAAAAADMM/eka1yuLJ-c8/s1600-h/DSC_2169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0x2-WQLI/AAAAAAAADMM/eka1yuLJ-c8/s320/DSC_2169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209526531391897778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But, thanks to Him, and you who donated, and the endless work of the village development committee created after the initiation of the project, and the Corps de la Paix en Mauritanie, and many sleepless nights of my own... we have found a way to make this project happen. Things never ever go as smoothly as planned, or hoped. (In the previous entry from March, I said the project would begin "immediately," ...that is a loose term here. "Jooni," means "now," in Pulaar.<br />"Jooni jooni," means "right now." When I mean to say, "immediately," I say, "Jooni jooni jooni jooni," to get my point across.) In a sense, it did start then. But, it was a long road to get to where we are today, where I can see the building materials in front of my eyes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0yI-uf5I/AAAAAAAADMU/SO01rdDQqBk/s1600-h/DSC_2177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0yI-uf5I/AAAAAAAADMU/SO01rdDQqBk/s320/DSC_2177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209526536225324946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have exactly two months left in my contract here as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Which means that this project has to be done, jooni jooni jooni jooni. And it will. So long as Allah keeps the rains away just a few more weeks, we should continue on until its completion. Then the rains can come in force.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0yRcO3lI/AAAAAAAADMc/oFPgHbR1U1s/s1600-h/DSC_2206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEv0yRcO3lI/AAAAAAAADMc/oFPgHbR1U1s/s320/DSC_2206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209526538496564818" border="0" /></a><br />Inchallah.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/SEvynjlhTxI/AAAAAAAADLs/OVaHPfis3dc/s1600-h/DSC_2206.JPG"><br /></a>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-9329515339619644392008-03-06T04:31:00.000-08:002008-03-06T05:57:07.552-08:00Thiénél Community Center and Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RvTwtJpdKTI/AAAAAAAACl4/_wV8LvEHHqw/s1600-h/DSC_0055.2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112976135446931762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 85px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RvTwtJpdKTI/AAAAAAAACl4/_wV8LvEHHqw/s400/DSC_0055.2.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong>Funding has arrived!!!</strong><br /><br />Thank you endlessly to those who contributed.<br /><br />Project work will commence immediately - updates to follow...<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Proposal Summary<br /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><p class="MsoNormal">This project addresses a significant need within the community for a central community space to gather, hold meetings, store community materials, and sell goods.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The sustainable development of knowledge and personal skills requires a locality in which the community can identify and utilize, mobilizing their existing skills.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>A Community Center structure such as this project will serve to motivate community members to take action.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>This is a project to build physical infrastructure, but will reap enormous benefits in terms of human infrastructure.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The market space will be an open-air hanger, 8m x 5m in area, with a small attached boutique, 2m x 3m.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The Community Center will consist of two connected rooms: one larger space, 5m x 5m, and a smaller storage space, 3m x 5m, with a small hanger attached to the front of the building.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:0;"></span>Currently, there is a significant absence of such a facility, generating a blockage in the progress of community development.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Within the village are many self-motivated and self-employed craftsmen and artists, two very active women’s cooperatives that grow vegetables and fruit for income generation, and a large men’s cooperative, focused on the agricultural development of the surrounding land, as well as the Jeunesse (Youth Association), and the EJT Organization (Enfants et Jeunes Travailleurs-Youth Workers.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Thiénél is a community with many very motivated and active people dedicated to bringing it up from poverty’s trap and developing a place for people to live fulfilling and productive lives.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Only, they need a place to do it.</p><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Background Information<br /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><p class="MsoNormal">Thiénél is made up of approximately 1200 people and is located on the Senegal River, two kilometers southeast of the city of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Boghé</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The village consists of mostly mud-brick houses and buildings, although newer construction may be done with cement bricks.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>There is no water or sewer infrastructure.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Potable water is provided by wells, although, of the <st1:metricconverter st="on" productid="30 in">30 in</st1:metricconverter> existence, only six are active. Electricity is present, due to the adjacency of Boghé, but it only facilitates approximately three-fourths of the village.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Generally every household makes a trip into Boghé each day to purchase food due to the current absence of those facilities within the village.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The construction of a community center would also alleviate existing conflicts for space in the facilities that currently house those activities.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The Kindergarten facility, facilitated through World Vision, and operated by the women’s cooperatives, is currently held in the village’s health post building, where village materials are also stored.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>A daily market gathering currently takes place in a private family compound, and therefore is limited to only the Cooperative’s produce.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:0;"></span>The village is involved in a multitude of activities, including gardening and agriculture, livestock, metal working, and building construction, as well as home crafts such as sewing, tailoring, and fabric dying.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The absence of a market facility leaves their products and skills scattered, non-marketed throughout the community.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>However, a central place to sell, market, and produce their goods will have dramatic effect on their individual and collective successes as businesses, and draw attention to their skills.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Associations include the Village Association, concerned with the village’s development as a whole, the Men’s Association, related to agriculture and livestock activities, and the Women’s Association, which overlaps with the associations of both garden cooperatives.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Regarding the youth, there are the Youth Association, the EJT, and the Association of Student’s Parents.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Community management is very active, as all decisions are debated and counseled by committee before being made, and the issues of community development are constantly being addressed.</p>Development organizations active or within the community include UNICEF, which supports the garden cooperatives and facilitates its Healthy, Clean, and Green Schools program at the village’s primary school; World Vision also facilitates the village’s kindergarten, supports the garden cooperatives, and sponsors many of the village’s children.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Representatives for both organizations live within the village.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:0;"></span>The Women’s Garden Cooperatives consist of 350 and 150 women, respectively.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Machine pumps are used to irrigate the two large five hectare gardens where mainly vegetables and mint are grown, as well as fruit from various mango and citrus trees.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The gardens are long established and have now shown signs of nutrient depletion, with a reduced yield each year.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The women are active in other activities as well, including sewing and fabric dying.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>In order to progress the cooperatives need to expand and diversify their activities to increase or maintain profits and make the now non-sustainable associations working cooperatives once again.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>They need to be trained in new skills, for instance sewing, fabric dying, business management and accounting, and increase their role in the community by organizing, informing, and spreading knowledge on health, and development related issues.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:0;"></span>The Jeunesse consists of active youth and each year they organize events including sports and village clean-ups.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>They also make up the EJT and UNICEF’s Club de Sante, Hygiene, Environnement, both concerned with community development.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The community center would increase the capacity of the village’s youth, providing a place to create initiative and empowerment.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:0;"></span>The Men’s Association is involved with the large-field agriculture surrounding the village.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>They currently have a project underway building a system of dykes and canals for irrigated agriculture, including rice and corn.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Consisting of many of the same individuals, the Village Association is the decision makers of the village.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>It consists of religious leaders, political leaders, and education individuals who are all very community development oriented.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>They meet weekly to discuss the village’s projects, issues, and politics, and are in close communication with local officials.</p><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Verification of Partnership Guidelines</span></strong><br /><br /><ul><li><span dir="ltr">Project is community initiated and directed</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.5pt">This project was initiated after surveying and assessing community assets and needs.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The community themselves highlighted their need for a central gathering space and market and expressed first and foremost their desire to pursue a project in that area.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>A Community Committee was formed to aid in the management of the project.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>They have been involved and informed in every aspect of the planning process and all project decisions are discussed before being finalized.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>All village communication is relayed through the committee, making for an effective means of relaying information to the community.</p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.5pt"><span dir="ltr">Project meets a pressing community need</span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">As stated above, the absence of a market and community center facility in the village is a noticeable void and acts as a blockage in the community development of Thienel by preventing and restraining the potential that exists within the village in terms of people and skills.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The construction of such a facility would alleviate current conflicts of space and provide room for community growth and development. </p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal"><span dir="ltr">Community is making at least a 25% contribution</span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">The community contribution to this project totals 25% of the total project costs.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>This contribution is made up of both cash donations and in-kind donations of materials and labor.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>A plan is currently in place to collect money contributions from the community.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The women’s cooperatives and men’s associations will each be making their own collections to contribute to the project fund.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Other donated items will be provided once project implementation is underway.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal"><span dir="ltr">Community demonstrated a well-developed plan for project </span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">The physical plan for the construction of the market and community center was preemptively discussed, and then drafts were made to be further discussed, prompting changes to the original plan.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Finally, a consensus was met by both women’s cooperative and the village association that was then discussed with the chosen laborer for the project both before and after budget estimates were submitted for approval. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p><b>Project Timeline<o:p></o:p></b></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">Present – October/November:<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The community is currently working towards gathering their portion of the project costs.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The project management committee has identified their strategy and divided the responsibility for collecting contributions among gender lines, as it is typically performed in Pulaar culture.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Both men’s and women’s associations have agreed to this plan and are consolidating their funds with a goal of acquiring the established total by the end of the rainy season (October/November).</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">Project initiation will not take place until after the rainy season is concluded, and all funds are acquired.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>This is to minimize complications in material acquisition and transport, as materials can become scarce during this time, and roads conditions problematic.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">First two weeks:<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">All funds will be withheld until the community has produced their contribution, in full, according to the project budget.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Once this occurs, funds will be utilized immediately to begin gathering materials.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>A storage site has been identified near the project site to keep materials safe throughout the construction phase.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">The laborer is available to begin construction within a short period of time after funding is received, as he lives in the village and does not travel far for work.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">Most, if not all, project materials will available in the neighboring city of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Boghé</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>If needed, materials can be purchased and transported from nearby cities in order to increase supply and selection.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The construction site is identified and ready for construction.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">Initiation – completion:</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">The community is ready and able to contribute their in-kind donations in the form of materials and labor.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">Under the oversight of the community project management committee, the project will be pushed to completion in a continual fashion - starting with the construction of the market hanger in order to have the facility functional as soon as possible, and followed by the construction of the community center facility.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in"><span dir="ltr">Implementation and sustainability</span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">The project will reap immediate benefits in the use of the market space.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>And, the community center will provide a space for continued progress, benefiting the community into the future in its development of human infrastructure.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Before opening, the community will agree on a management plan for the space, including a small monthly user fee, which will be collected by the village association.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Spaces in the market will essentially be rented to users.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The large village associations will each be designated a set number of spaces in the market, while space will also be left for unassigned community members. These funds will be utilized to pay a regular caretaker and perform repairs as the needs arise.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal"><span dir="ltr">Indicators of success</span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">The project will be successful if the market space is utilized regularly to market and sell products from the village’s cooperative gardens, skilled laborers, craftsmen, and artists.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Further, success will be attained if the community identifies with the center as a collective meeting place, and uses it to hold assemblies, projects, sensitizations, or in other ways that will aid in communication, education, and empowerment of the village community.</p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal"><span dir="ltr">Community understands that Partnership funds are to be used only for costs associated with project implementations as shown in the budget and there can be no further requests made of the partners outside of the Partnership Program</span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:';font-size:12;">The community understands that the funding proposal is final at the time of submission, and no further changes may occur.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The project budget is as seen below. </span><br /><br /><br /></p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Project Budget</span></strong><br /><strong>Table 1: Overall Project Budget</strong><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Roja1T77ZvI/AAAAAAAABlU/UN9--usue7s/s1600-h/CCM.Budget.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082552788907157234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Roja1T77ZvI/AAAAAAAABlU/UN9--usue7s/s320/CCM.Budget.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Roja1T77ZvI/AAAAAAAABlU/UN9--usue7s/s1600-h/CCM.Budget.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Table 2: Project Summary </strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Roja9z77ZwI/AAAAAAAABlc/TxbOyhDtV_4/s1600-h/CCM.Budget.Summ.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082552934936045314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 144px" height="109" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Roja9z77ZwI/AAAAAAAABlc/TxbOyhDtV_4/s320/CCM.Budget.Summ.JPG" width="320" border="0" /></a><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Roja9z77ZwI/AAAAAAAABlc/TxbOyhDtV_4/s1600-h/CCM.Budget.Summ.JPG"></a><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Figure 1: Thiénél Community Center Plan<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rojgjj77ZzI/AAAAAAAABl0/r4U8onCOX3c/s1600-h/CCM.Plan_Page_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082559081034245938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rojgjj77ZzI/AAAAAAAABl0/r4U8onCOX3c/s320/CCM.Plan_Page_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Figure 2: Thiénél Market Plan<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofR-z77ZqI/AAAAAAAABks/1qQweuq7Eng/s1600-h/CCM.Plan_Page_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082261581534553762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofR-z77ZqI/AAAAAAAABks/1qQweuq7Eng/s320/CCM.Plan_Page_1.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Figure 3:<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofZjj77ZsI/AAAAAAAABk8/W_4SgcaioYc/s1600-h/coop.article_Page_2.jpg"></a> Newspaper Article featuring the Thiénél women’s Cooperative, reporting on the women’s struggle to maintain a successful cooperative amidst increasingly desolate environmental conditions.<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofaRj77ZtI/AAAAAAAABlE/k4B3iGBT-KY/s1600-h/coop.article_Page_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082270699750123218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofaRj77ZtI/AAAAAAAABlE/k4B3iGBT-KY/s320/coop.article_Page_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RojdQT77ZxI/AAAAAAAABlk/yUV1iHSL7Tc/s1600-h/coop.article_Page_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082555451786880786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RojdQT77ZxI/AAAAAAAABlk/yUV1iHSL7Tc/s320/coop.article_Page_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rofatj77ZuI/AAAAAAAABlM/MVvJmXAj7mY/s1600-h/coop.article_Page_1.jpg"></a></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofaRj77ZtI/AAAAAAAABlE/k4B3iGBT-KY/s1600-h/coop.article_Page_2.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RofZjj77ZsI/AAAAAAAABk8/W_4SgcaioYc/s1600-h/coop.article_Page_2.jpg"></a></strong>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-68933478325444362092007-04-28T09:02:00.000-07:002007-05-18T04:05:47.228-07:00Thide Kindergarten Painting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rk2BbzNjiMI/AAAAAAAABbo/2iB15P3oC00/s1600-h/DSC_0485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rk2BbzNjiMI/AAAAAAAABbo/2iB15P3oC00/s320/DSC_0485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065847470465190082" border="0" /></a>My friend and fellow Environmental Education volunteer, Mary Fitzpatrick, built a kindergarten for her village, nearby Thide. But, the budget was exceeded before it was painted, so me, and other PCVs who will work for free, were recruited for the job.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rk2F6jNjiPI/AAAAAAAABcA/lVjbXGecNms/s1600-h/DSC_0482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rk2F6jNjiPI/AAAAAAAABcA/lVjbXGecNms/s320/DSC_0482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065852396792678642" border="0" /></a><br />Her project was funded through the no longer active Peace Corps SPA Program, which provided internal funding for volunteer projects. Her project fulfills the need of the village to operate a kindergarten in order to be a part of the World Vision sponsorship program. It is staffed and operated by the Women's Co-op of Thide and provides education and meals to the village's young children.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rk2E5TNjiOI/AAAAAAAABb4/IxxLJGbE6x8/s1600-h/DSC_0501.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rk2E5TNjiOI/AAAAAAAABb4/IxxLJGbE6x8/s320/DSC_0501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065851275806214370" border="0" /></a>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-7104867862787345752007-04-22T08:56:00.000-07:002007-05-17T11:40:15.849-07:00Earth Day 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rkya4TNjiCI/AAAAAAAABaY/k_0X2EfRNUs/s1600-h/DSC_0426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rkya4TNjiCI/AAAAAAAABaY/k_0X2EfRNUs/s320/DSC_0426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065593972905445410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The holiday this year coincided with the Boghe GMC's Big Sister/Little Sister Exchange between the high-school girls of Boghe and middle-school girls of Sarandougou, a neighboring village. Another Environmental Education volunteer and I coordinated to plan the day's events with the 50 or so girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkybXDNjiDI/AAAAAAAABag/NcQSgB6LkB4/s1600-h/DSC_0432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkybXDNjiDI/AAAAAAAABag/NcQSgB6LkB4/s320/DSC_0432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065594501186422834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The day started with a field trip out to the Thienel Forest, outside my village. There, we conducted a tree-identification walk and learned about the different characteristics and uses of the various species present.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkycPjNjiEI/AAAAAAAABao/wBgPLqQ7_Vo/s1600-h/DSC_0436.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkycPjNjiEI/AAAAAAAABao/wBgPLqQ7_Vo/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065595471849031746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We then held an Environmental Education lesson on resource use, with the help of a local school teacher. The girls were very focused on talking about the issues facing them locally, including deforestation and littering, especially when a man starting cutting down a tree behind where we were meeting. Afterwards, we were able to take the girls to a nearby tree next to the Senegal River, to observe a family of monkeys. This provided an opportunity to discuss the issue of respecting all living things - including animals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkyctjNjiFI/AAAAAAAABaw/BAqlFRhwSlM/s1600-h/DSC_0458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkyctjNjiFI/AAAAAAAABaw/BAqlFRhwSlM/s320/DSC_0458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065595987245107282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the afternoon, the girls returned to the Girls Mentoring Center at the Boghe High School to learn about the value of recycling through a paper making activity. The girls were shown how to use discarded paper to create new, artsy paper to use in crafts and letters. We then concluded the day with a recap and discussion of the ways we as humans impact the environment and what we can do to reduce those impacts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkyfIjNjiII/AAAAAAAABbI/Nj2JjcCj8b4/s1600-h/DSC_0473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkyfIjNjiII/AAAAAAAABbI/Nj2JjcCj8b4/s320/DSC_0473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065598650124830850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkydujNjiHI/AAAAAAAABbA/NC68myLJg9w/s1600-h/DSC_0475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RkydujNjiHI/AAAAAAAABbA/NC68myLJg9w/s320/DSC_0475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065597103936604274" border="0" /></a>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-38590752798251833722007-02-13T17:42:00.000-08:002007-02-13T05:58:31.209-08:00Thienel School Improvement Mini-Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdBtXEmqK2I/AAAAAAAAABk/okpAbr-XyIM/s1600-h/DSC_0523.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdBtXEmqK2I/AAAAAAAAABk/okpAbr-XyIM/s320/DSC_0523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030641026913151842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a style="border-bottom-style: groove;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rc-rO0mqK0I/AAAAAAAAABM/5qCPyPNSAlY/s1600-h/DSC_0493.JPG"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14;">Project Summary</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rc-gdkmqKzI/AAAAAAAAABA/0wUV88b6eNY/s1600-h/DSC_0488.JPG"> </a></p><p class="MsoNormal">This project addresses the immediate needs of the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Thiénél</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Primary School</st1:placetype></st1:place> to improve its educational environment and achieve a base level of function to better meet the demands of all its students.<span style=""> </span>The project includes the obtainment of pedagogic teaching materials, infrastructure maintenance, and repairs to the well adjacent to the school.<span style=""> </span>The purchase of materials to complete a mural on the school grounds is also included in the proposal in order to further implem</p><p class="MsoNormal">ent the objectives of the Peace Corps’ (PC) Environmental Education (EE) program.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>The addition of these materials and the successful repair of school infrastructure will significantly ameliorate its functionality, providing students with a more welcoming atmosphere and enabling both teachers and students to take a more active role in the quality of education that takes place.<span style=""> </span></p><br /><span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Current Infrastructure Condition</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >s</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rc-sN0mqK1I/AAAAAAAAABU/j8F74SOJuuk/s1600-h/DSC_0488.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rc-sN0mqK1I/AAAAAAAAABU/j8F74SOJuuk/s200/DSC_0488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030428662255201106" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t202" style="'position:absolute;" stroked="f"> <v:textbox style="'mso-next-textbox:#_x0000_s1026'"> <![if !mso]> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td><![endif]> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="';font-size:10.0pt';">The combined first and second grade classroom at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Thienel</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Primary School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <![if !mso]></td> </tr> </table> <![endif]></v:textbox> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]-->The <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Thiénél</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Primary School</st1:placetype></st1:place> currently services 280 students from grades first, to six, but functions on very little in terms of educational materials and school infrastructure.<span style=""> </span>There are 39 to 55 students per grade, and only four working classrooms.<span style=""> </span>This results in the combining of grades one and two, and grades three and four into two classrooms, in which there are 80 and 107 students total, respectively.<span style=""> </span>In the first and second grade classroom, there are no desks and students are required to sit on the badly broken concrete floor.<span style=""> </span>In ea</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">ch of the other three classrooms there are fifteen desks that should only seat two students, but which typically seat three or four. <span style=""> </span>The school currently has all pieces of sixteen desks in order to fulfill the need of the first and second grade classroom but is missing the hardware needed to perform the labor.<span style=""> </span>Old desks will be salvaged for their usable parts in the assembly of the new desks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Other infrastructural needs at the school include a number of windows and doors that need repair or to be replaced, and the fixation of the cement foundation in front of two classrooms.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The permanent repair of the well will benefit both the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Thiénél</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Primary School</st1:placetype></st1:place> as well as the Thiénél community.<span style=""> </span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\BOGHEB~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image004.jpg" title="schl"> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->The well, which has been in decline for a number of recent years, is one of the few remaining throughout the village and provides a large portion of the village population with dependable, non-salient drinking water.<span style=""> </span>The school is also dependent upon the well for the maintenance of its school-garden and for providing potable water for d</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">rinking and cleaning.<span style=""> </span>However, by the afternoon of each day, the well is virtually dry.<span style=""> </span>Its repair will provide the opportunity to both better operate the adjacent school garden, per PC <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t202" style="'position:absolute;left:0;" stroked="f"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->EE program objectives, as well as allow students the experience of better health and hygiene. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >Implications of </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >Conditions</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rc-rO0mqK0I/AAAAAAAAABM/5qCPyPNSAlY/s1600-h/DSC_0493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rc-rO0mqK0I/AAAAAAAAABM/5qCPyPNSAlY/s200/DSC_0493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030427579923442498" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are many detrimental effects that result from the school’s condition.<span style=""> </span>Very little attention is given to individual students as a result of overcrowding and no personal space e</p> <p class="MsoNormal">xists for independent learning.<span style=""> </span>All teaching is done communally, in a question/response en masse fashion.<span style=""> </span>In general, the conditions do not lend themselves to creating a positive learning environment.<span style=""> </span>In the shared classrooms students suffer from the combined curriculum.<span style=""> </span>To avoid this effect, the school has established a schedule that splits the time in the classroom between classes, so that on some days of the week an entire grade does not attend morning or afternoon sessions when their applicable content is not addressed.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdBuc0mqK3I/AAAAAAAAABs/G5lUPptSwNE/s1600-h/schl.jardin.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdBuc0mqK3I/AAAAAAAAABs/G5lUPptSwNE/s200/schl.jardin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030642225209027442" border="0" /></a></p> <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t202" style="'position:absolute;" stroked="f"> <v:textbox> <![if !mso]> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td><![endif]> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span style="';font-size:10.0pt';">Thienel</span></st1:PlaceName><span style="';font-size:10.0pt';"> <st1:placetype st="on">Primary School</st1:PlaceType></span></st1:place><span style="';font-size:10.0pt';"> grounds – looking down onto two classrooms occupied by the School Director’s office and storage space<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <![if !mso]></td> </tr> </table> <![endif]></v:textbox> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style=""><span style=""> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:12;" >The absence of a de</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:12;" >pendably working well prevents the school from maintaining a program of hygiene and cleanliness at the school.<span style=""> </span>Ther</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:12;" >e is no water available in the latrines, and students often go throughout the school day without having any water to drink.<span style=""> </span>The school garden also suffers as it is increasingly difficult to facilitate and maintain students’ interest when the burden of watering is so great.<br /><br /><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14;">Verification of Partnership Guidelines<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >1.<span style=""> </span>Project is community initiated and directed<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>This Mini-Project was initiated and requested by the community through the school’s director in order to improve the basic functions of the school.<span style=""> </span>The needs were assessed and assembled through the collaboration of the School Director, teachers, and the Association of Students’ Parents (APE).<span style=""> </span>Management of the project, in terms of hiring laborers and facilitating the work, has been directed by the combined efforts of the APE and the School Director.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Figure 1: Support Letter from Departmental Inspector of Primary and Secondary Schools</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG68kmqLEI/AAAAAAAAAD0/fxttrOd6Nhc/s1600-h/IDEN.lettre.scan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG68kmqLEI/AAAAAAAAAD0/fxttrOd6Nhc/s400/IDEN.lettre.scan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031007808530295874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >2.<span style=""> </span>Project meets a pressing community need<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>The community is very committed to the education of its youth, and the needs of the school are likewise taken very seriously by all factions: the APE, the village association, and the village community. <span style=""> </span>Prior to NGO involvement, the APE managed and facilitated all improvement projects at the school as they are experienced and motivated to provide their children with a high quality education.<span style=""> </span>The community recognizes the importance of education’s role in bringing development.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >3.<span style=""> </span>Community is making at least a 25% self-help contribution<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=""> </span></b>The APE is facilitating the community’s contribution of at least 25% of the total project costs.<span style=""> </span>They have ensured this money through community donations and the sale of excess materials, including fencing.<span style=""> </span>Thiénél community contribution amounts to 35.6% of the total project costs, including the costs of labor and in-kind donations of materials, as outlined in Tables 1 and 2 below.<span style=""> </span>The total community cash contribution amounts to 27% of the project costs.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Figure 2: Support Letter from Association of Students' Parents (APE)</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG8HUmqLFI/AAAAAAAAAD8/ZSoAzJJaykU/s1600-h/APE.lettre.scan_Page_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG8HUmqLFI/AAAAAAAAAD8/ZSoAzJJaykU/s400/APE.lettre.scan_Page_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031009092725517394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >4.<span style=""> </span>Community demonstrated a well-developed plan for project implementation and sustainability</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG9_UmqLHI/AAAAAAAAAEM/arUojmogNc4/s1600-h/DSC_0421.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG9_UmqLHI/AAAAAAAAAEM/arUojmogNc4/s200/DSC_0421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031011154309819506" border="0" /></a>The project’s plan has been thoroughly discussed in many meetings with the APE, the School Director, and the Volunteer.<span style=""> </span>Action has already been taken to implement project objectives and sustainability is ensured by the community’s direct involvement. The resulting improvements to the educational environment at the school will improve the educational quality and increase the students’ interest in their personal educational experience.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Project Timeframe:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Immediate </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">-<span style=""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">APE is prepared to begin funding school repairs and desk assembly</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">-<span style=""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Mason is available to begin work on well-repairs once the materials are obtained.<span style=""> </span>All materials are available locally or in Boghé (approximately two km from Thiénél)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Within two weeks</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">-<span style=""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Volunteer will travel to Nouakchott to purchase and distribute pedagogic materials to teachers</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">-<span style=""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Mason is available to install the cement foundation on which the school mural will be painted</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">-<span style=""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Volunteer will purchase materials, all of which are locally available, and begin working on the school mural.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Expected time for project completion: 3-4 weeks after funding acquisition</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >5.<span style=""> </span>Indicators of Success</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG9N0mqLGI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ZeKjW_5o4aM/s1600-h/DSC_0512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG9N0mqLGI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ZeKjW_5o4aM/s200/DSC_0512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031010303906294882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11;">A</span>.<span style=""> </span>Quality of Life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: 0.25in;">All 280 students of the school will directly benefit from this project, while all approximately 1500 members of the Thiénél community will perceive an improvement in their quality of life.<span style=""> </span>Teachers will immediately benefit from the availability of tools to better implement the lessons from the provided curriculum and will be better able to implement their own teaching skills.<span style=""> </span>The accumulated improvements at the school will combine to provide access to a better, diverse, and integrated education for the students, making for a more enjoyable educational experience and building opportunity for further educational growth.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="">B.<span style=""> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Organizational Capacity</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;">The organizational unit of this project has demonstrated the capacity to effectively manage its implementation, maintenance, and plans for future improvement.<span style=""> </span>There are defined goals in place for the school’s community and leadership in place to mobilize the necessary resources. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >6. <span style=""> </span>Community understands that Partnership funds are to be used only for costs associated with project implementation as shown in the budget and there can be no further request made of the Partners outside of the Partnership Program.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" ><span style=""> </span></span>The community and the committee responsible for this project’s management fully understand the extent of the project’s funding as shown in the approved budget below.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><b><span style="font-size:14;">Thiénél</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-size:14;"> <st1:placetype st="on">Primary School</st1:placetype></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-size:14;"> Improvement Mini-Project Budget</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Table 1: Overall Project Budget</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG4PkmqLCI/AAAAAAAAADg/DicOxxhEsOQ/s1600-h/Thienel.Ecole.PPP_Page_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG4PkmqLCI/AAAAAAAAADg/DicOxxhEsOQ/s400/Thienel.Ecole.PPP_Page_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031004836412927010" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><br /><br /><span style=""><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style=""><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="">Table 2: Community Contribution; Table 3: Summary of Funds; Table 4: Project Summary<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG58kmqLDI/AAAAAAAAADs/yrmWnoiH99c/s1600-h/Thienel.Ecole.PPP_Page_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG58kmqLDI/AAAAAAAAADs/yrmWnoiH99c/s400/Thienel.Ecole.PPP_Page_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031006709018668082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=""><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG_tUmqLJI/AAAAAAAAAEc/XtU2__g-G1Q/s1600-h/DSC_0451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG_tUmqLJI/AAAAAAAAAEc/XtU2__g-G1Q/s200/DSC_0451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031013044095429778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=""><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG-mUmqLII/AAAAAAAAAEU/HkWoQssxXik/s1600-h/DSC_0414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdG-mUmqLII/AAAAAAAAAEU/HkWoQssxXik/s200/DSC_0414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031011824324717698" border="0" /></a>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4975846139520219462.post-12965213925723647332007-02-12T06:45:00.000-08:002007-05-17T08:53:24.024-07:00GMC Girl's Basketball Program<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdB-p0mqK9I/AAAAAAAAACk/SRgG2Ncie9U/s1600-h/DSC_0554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdB-p0mqK9I/AAAAAAAAACk/SRgG2Ncie9U/s320/DSC_0554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030660040733371346" border="0" /></a> <h2 style="">Introduction</h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p></o:p>Mauritanian girls receive very few opportunities to participate in athletic activities, and are rarely encouraged to discover skills beyond their domestic obligations and in their education, for those enrolled.<span style=""> </span>The creation of a Mauritanian Girls Basketball Program will provide this opportunity for girls participating in regional Girls Mentoring Centers (GMCs), a function of the Peace Corps’ (PC) Girls Education and Empowerment (GEE) Sector.<span style=""> </span>The donation of basketball equipment and products from the Nike Foundation will enable girls to participate in these empowering activities and will help in expanding and enriching their lives.</p> <h2>Project Summary</h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p></o:p>The primary objective of the Mauritanian Girls Basketball Program is to facilitate regional “Clubs de Basket,” in association with the GMCs, allowing girls the regular opportunity to be active, learn the game of basketball, and exercise healthy competition in a positive atmosphere.<span style=""> </span>In order to implement the opening of the Clubs, a Summer Camp will take place in late summer 2007.<span style=""> </span>This camp will bring groups of girls in GMCs of six regional cities, as well as the Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) GMC Coordinators, and community counterparts.<span style=""> </span>The camp will provide instruction for the girls on basketball skills, strategies, and the health benefits of a physically active life; we will also provide the community counterparts with materials and instruction on coaching and team management so that upon returning to their sites, management of the “Clubs de Basket” will be sustainably handed over to Mauritanian community counterparts with the oversight of PCVs.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Later, events and competitions will be organized regionally, in which groups from each GMC’s Club de Basket will compete against one another.<span style=""> </span>A national GMC Girls Basketball contest may take place in association with next year’s Girls Basketball Summer Camp.<span style=""><br /> <br /></span></p> <h2>Background Information</h2> <h4>Economics</h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mauritania</st1:place></st1:country-region> is currently ranked 153 out of 177 according to the United Nation’s Human Development Index (UN HDI).<span style=""> </span>Furthermore, the UN HDI also lists Mauritania as 115th out of 177 in the Gender-related Development Index (GDI), measuring gender equality based on women’s economic participation (UN Human Development Report 2006. <a href="http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/statistics/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_MRT.html">http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/statistics/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_</a><a href="http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/statistics/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_MRT.html">fs_MRT.html</a>).<span style=""> </span>According to 2005 World Bank statistics, Mauritania qualifies as a country in extrem<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdB_NkmqK-I/AAAAAAAAACs/MnSxk3_zo9s/s1600-h/DSC_0550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdB_NkmqK-I/AAAAAAAAACs/MnSxk3_zo9s/s200/DSC_0550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030660654913694690" border="0" /></a>e poverty, which requires over 25% of the population to be living on less than $1 a day, measured at purchasing power parity; while the per capita GNI rests at $560 (UNICEF State of the World’s Children (SOWC) 2006 Report. <a href="http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/mauritania_statistics.html">http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/mauritania_statistics.html</a>).<span style=""> </span>These girls are faced with various challenges in their every day lives, where few opportunities exist for expression – personal, professional, or athletic.<span style=""> </span>Scolarization of girls is a desperately needed focus in the development of Mauritania: while 74% of girls are enrolled in primary school, only 13% of girls transition to the secondary level (SOWC 2006). <span style=""> </span>This is a telling statistic demonstrating the limited opportunities available to Mauritanian females.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4 style="">Gender</h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="">Gender equality is a focused objective in the development work that takes place in Mauritania.<span style=""> </span>The government has likewise cited girls and women’s development as an important factor in improving quality of life in the country, both economically and socially.<span style=""> </span>Current conditions in Mauritania, however, do not project a positive environment for women and girls.<span style=""> </span>The following statistics are taken from UNICEF’s SOWC 2006 Report, except where indicated.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.7in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">The net primary school enrollment rate for females between the years of 1996-2005 was 74%, while actual net attendance for females in primary schools was 42%.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.7in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Secondary school net enrollment rates for females between the years of 1996-2005 dropped to 13%.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.7in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">24.2% of girls between ages 15-19 are married, and 4.3% divorced; 46.4% of girls ages 20-24 are married, and 10.8% divorced (</span><span style="" lang="FR">Caractéristiques des Ménages et des Femmes Enquêtées, Chapitre 2. </span><a href="http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR150/02chapitre02.pdf">http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR150/02chapitre02.pdf</a>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.7in; text-indent: -0.2in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">77% of women in rural area, ages 15-49 have received female genital mutilation/cutting; 65% in urban areas, measured between 1997-2005</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span dir="ltr"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><i><span style="color: rgb(41, 37, 38);">Taken from the February 2003 issue of THE EXCHANGE, Peace Corps’ Women in Development Newslett</span></i><i><span style="color: rgb(41, 37, 38);">er</span></i><span style=";font-size:10;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-size:10;color:black;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdGws0mqLBI/AAAAAAAAADU/r3NPQon1xhY/s1600-h/DSC_0566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdGws0mqLBI/AAAAAAAAADU/r3NPQon1xhY/s200/DSC_0566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030996542831078418" border="0" /></a><span style="color:black;">In the early days of int</span><span style="color:black;">ernational development, community d</span><span style="color:black;">evelopment focused on working with traditional leaders, who were most often men of elite social classes. As a result, many projects failed because they primarily addressed the needs of the elite and did not take into account the needs of the poor, the majority of whom are women and children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">In the 1970s women in development (WID) approaches emerged in recognition of women’s omission from the development process. WID approaches advocated for women’s inclusion in existing development efforts. In addition, specific projects for women were implemented, focusing primarily on increasing women’s economic status. Many of these projects failed because women were perceived as a homogeneous group, and their multiple roles in society were not taken into account.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Over time, people realized that it was not just women’s lack of participation in the development process but their socially <span style="color:black;">determined roles that limited their capacity to fully participate in and benefit from development activities. In the 1980s, the gender and development (GAD) approach emerged, taking into consideration women’s social, economic, political, and reproductive roles, as well as the roles of men, girls, and boys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">While GAD focused on relationships between women and men, and equity within those relationships, it is only within the past decade that the need to include both women and men in efforts toward gender-equitable development became apparent. Gender-equitable development projects involving men are still fairly new as far as development organizations and agencies are concerned because of the difficulty in striking a balance between projects that take into account men’s gender roles and traditional male-only projects, which can undermine the needs of women, girls, and boys. However, it is clear that men’s and women’s lives do not exist in isolation but are interconnected. Therefore, an understanding of gender relations is critical to achieving sustainable development.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h4>GEE Program/Girls Mentoring Centers (GMCs)</h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>The following information is adapted and updated from a proposal for funding submitted to the US Ambassador to Mauritania in 2005.</i> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Gender and Development (GAD) Committee of Peace Corps Mauritania is comprised of Peace Corps volunteers and staff as well as Mauritanians who are interested in integrating gender issues into projects in all sectors.<span style=""> </span>Our mission is to identify and recognize the social constructs that define gender relations, which include “social, economic and cultural forces that determine how men and women can participate, benefit from and control project resources and activities.”<span style=""> </span>Through this mission, we have derived our three goals: </p> <ul><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">To encourage and assist in the development of projects that are focused in the domain of Gender and Development, concentrating especially on girls’ education and development. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">To furnish information and maintain contact with local and international organizations. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span dir="ltr">To create culturally appropriate and relevant activities and programs for girls in Mauritania in collaboration with Mauritanian partner organizations, volunteers and counterparts.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:10;"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin-left: 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdCAc0mqK_I/AAAAAAAAAC8/gp22VFPBcZI/s1600-h/DSC_0572.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdCAc0mqK_I/AAAAAAAAAC8/gp22VFPBcZI/s200/DSC_0572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030662016418327538" border="0" /></a>The idea for the Girls’ Mentoring Centers began its evolution starting from the time of the first Peace Corps-organized “Take Your Daughter to Work” (TYDW) event over six years ago.<span style=""> </span>Feedback from this event led to the creation of the “Annual Girls’ Education Conference” in July 2000, for which the hope was to target more directly the needs and ambitions of secondary school girls.<span style=""> </span>Further feedback showed that this was still not enough; there was a specific need in Mauritania for girls of this age to have an outlet for furthering their education.<span style=""> </span>Mauritanian girls hungered for more opportunities closer to home where they could meet other girls with similar interests and professional women with whom they could share their experiences.<span style=""> </span>The girls wanted to have a continuous program allowing them to be active throughout the entire year.<span style=""> </span>They wanted a place where they could meet, study and hold seminars.<span style=""> </span>They also talked about a space where there would be a consistent source of electricity and consistent studious atmosphere.<span style=""> </span>In response to the girls’ needs and desires, Peace Corps, in collaboration with the Condition Feminine and Secondary Education Department proposed the idea of the Girls’ Mentoring Centers for the regional capitals, to be funded by EDDI.<span style=""> </span>The plan was approved in late 2000, and PC began working with officials and contacts in Nouakchott on the project implementation.<span style=""> </span>The centers were a huge success, and they continue to be the heart of our GAD program here in Mauritania.</p> <h2 style="">Project Timeframe</h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Club de Basket active at Boghé GMC; Other Clubs being initiated where facilities and resources exist</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Equipment Distribution: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Upon receiving shipments in Nouakchott, PCVs will travel to capital to pick up and transport materials to Boghé, where they will be securely stored until individual distribution at the Summer GMC Girls Basketball Camp</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Summer GMC Girls Basketball Camp [Sep 1-4, 2007]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Groups of girls from the GMCs of six different cities will travel to Boghé.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Mauritanian Community Counterpart, who will assume role of local Club de Basket Coordinator, and PCV GMC Coordinator will accompany each group<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Girls will be taught: basic skills of basketball, as well as health information regarding the benefits of an active lifestyle<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Coaches skills and strategies will be demonstrated and information will be given to Club de Basket coordinators to utilize after returning to sites<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Groups will be provided with essential equipment and apparel in order to immediately implement local Clubs de Basket<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Clubs de Basket will be active in each of six participating regions shortly following the conclusion of the 2007 Summer GMC Girls Basketball Camp<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Competitions between GMC Club de Basket groups will take place in Spring ‘08<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Preparations will take place for the Summer 2008 GMC Girls Basketball Camp, with a goal of reaching a new set of girls and demographic in new regions of the country </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:7;" > </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="ltr">Competitions between GMC groups will be organized following the Summer GMC Girls Basketball Camp in 2008.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p></p> <h2>Project Budget<br /></h2>Funding being provided by the Peace Corps GEE Program. <br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span dir="ltr"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h2>Support Data</h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Figure 1</b>: Letter of support from Boghé Mayor, Adama Ba, granting the use of donated basketballs, and authority to reserve public court space.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rkx0ZDNjhQI/AAAAAAAABSM/SlhKZWy8ov8/s1600-h/BBall.sup.ltr.maire.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rkx0ZDNjhQI/AAAAAAAABSM/SlhKZWy8ov8/s400/BBall.sup.ltr.maire.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065551654592677122" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Figure 1a</b>:<span style=""> </span>English translation of Letter of Support from Boghé Mayor</p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">City of Boghé<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>January 23, 2007</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Subject:<span style=""> </span>Authorization for the use of the basketball court on Sunday evenings and the loaning of sport materials.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To Whom It May Concern:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have the honor and pleasure in asking for your availability and cooperation, as well as your adhesion, to the establishment of the Girls Mentoring Center’s program at the Boghé High School (this program includes once-a-week basketball practices preferably on Sundays),<span style=""> </span>to be executed and realized in very good conditions.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right">The Mayor of Boghé,</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span style="'mso-element:field-begin;mso-field-lock:yes'"></span><span style="'mso-spacerun:yes'"> </span>SHAPE<span style="'mso-spacerun:yes'"> </span>\* MERGEFORMAT <span style="'mso-element:field-separator'"></span><![endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:group id="_x0000_s1026" editas="canvas" style="'width:408.05pt;height:163.95pt;" coordorigin="2527,1920" coordsize="6801,2732"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> <v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;" preferrelative="f"> <v:fill detectmouseclick="t"> <v:path extrusionok="t" connecttype="none"> <o:lock ext="edit" text="t"> </v:shape><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t202" style="'position:absolute;" stroked="f"> <v:textbox style="'mso-next-textbox:#_x0000_s1028'"> <![if !mso]> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td><![endif]> <div> <p class="MsoNormal">Note:<span style="'mso-spacerun:yes'"> </span>Agreed to put at your disposition 2 or 3 basketballs and the court, I believe, will not pose a problem with the public.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Signature: Adama Ba</p> </div> <![if !mso]></td> </tr> </table> <![endif]></v:textbox> </v:shape><w:wrap type="none"> <w:anchorlock/> </v:group><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> Note:<span style=""> </span>Agreed to put at your disposition 2 or 3 basketballs and the court, I believe, will not pose a problem with the public.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Signature: Adama Ba</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><!--[endif]--><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:408.05pt;height:163.95pt'"> <v:imagedata croptop="-65520f" cropbottom="65520f"> </v:shape><span style="'mso-element:field-end'"></span><![endif]--></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rkx40TNjhRI/AAAAAAAABSU/jVEymHTYBGM/s1600-h/DSC_0579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/Rkx40TNjhRI/AAAAAAAABSU/jVEymHTYBGM/s320/DSC_0579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065556520790623506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdB_NkmqK-I/AAAAAAAAACs/MnSxk3_zo9s/s1600-h/DSC_0550.JPG"><br /></a><span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdCAc0mqK_I/AAAAAAAAAC8/gp22VFPBcZI/s1600-h/DSC_0572.JPG"><br /></a> <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_BDNCLeaJih4/RdGws0mqLBI/AAAAAAAAADU/r3NPQon1xhY/s1600-h/DSC_0566.JPG"><br /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span>Haley Harguthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910600044593866146noreply@blogger.com0